Capable of Loving You

Chapter 5: Everyone's Busniess

That night Sophia had a nightmare of her family screaming as they were being eaten by the titans. She tried everything to divert the titans' attention to her but nothing worked. Her family's blood splattered on her as she heard the crunch of their bones.

She woke up with a start, drenched in sweat. Sunlight was peeking through the bedroom window and she realized she had overslept. Even Mikasa's bed was neatly made and she was nowhere in sight. Sophia sighed and got up. She decided to take a quick shower before heading off to see Mike. No doubt he'd be furious at her for disappearing yesterday.

She unwound her bandages and winced as she pulled at the last layer. The cut on her head was off to the right side, close to her hairline. It was small, easily coverable with her bangs, but deep as evidence of the stitches. Her knuckles too were raw and red with purple and blue contusions all around. Maybe I should go see Hanji first. No doubt she'll be pissed at me too for running away, Sophia thought.

She made her way to Hanji's lab but didn't find her there. Maybe she's out in the field. I'll come back later, Sophia decided. Just as she was about to leave, she met Moblit.

"Hey Moblit," Sophia greeted him, "have you seen Hanji?"

"Hey Sophia," he greeted back, "she was in the training field a while back but I don't know where she is now. But she's been looking for you. She told me if I found you to check your wounds and change your bandages. Why don't you come inside?"

They entered and Moblit sat Sophia down before getting all the materials. "So...," Moblit began as he cleaned her wounds before bandaging them again, "can I ask how you got these?"

As nice as Moblit was, Sophia didn't feel like going into the details with him, "No," she replied laconically.

He nodded understandingly, "Perfectly acceptable." They spent the rest of the time in silence before Moblit declared he was done. Sophia thanked him and asked about Mike's whereabouts.

"He should be in his office right now," Moblit answered. Sophia thanked him again and left.

Lunch time was fast approaching so Sophia hurried in case she missed Mike. She knocked on his door and his muffled voice told her to come in.

"Sophia!" he exclaimed as soon as she walked through the doors. He grabbed her and shook her by the shoulders, "Where have you been? Everyone's been worried sick."

"Sorry Mike but I just needed some time to myself yesterday. I had no intention of getting everyone so worked up," Sophia answered truthfully.

Mike nodded sadly, "I'm sorry about what happened. If you had told me your intentions beforehand I would have advised you against it and saved you the heartbreak."

"He told you, huh?"

"Yes. Hanji and I both."

Sophia laughed bitterly, "Great! If he told Hanji, probably the whole world knows by now."

Mike didn't disagree with her. "He feels guilty you know. But he feels he did the right thing."

Sophia played with the hem of her shirt mindlessly, "Whatever," she mumbled, "I don't want to think about him so please give me something to do. Exercises, errands, anything."

"Well actually Hanji warned me not to overwork you. She said no heavy lifting or hand-to-hand combat because you've got bone bruising on your knuckles. And I'm afraid no 3DMG either."

"Mike, I'm fine seriously! Don't baby me," Sophia insisted.

"I'll stop babying you when you grow up and come talk to me instead of hurting yourself," Mike shot back, "I thought we discussed this Sophia? Whenever you feel angry, you go talk to someone, anyone. Don't let your rage control you."